Minor in Ecological Restoration

The modern field of ecological restoration (ER) showcases the necessity and merits of interdisciplinary approaches to real-world problems. Effective restoration of complex ecosystems and their human interplay requires a fusion of expertise from ecology, other life sciences, physical and social sciences and the humanities.

The minor in ecological restoration seeks to prepare students to address the complex relationships of human communities and ecological sustainability. The minor is a tri-campus initiative (UW Bothell, UW Seattle, and UW Tacoma). Students may, but are not required to, take courses from more than one campus in order to earn the minor.

Students who may benefit from an ER minor include:

Students who are interested in graduate school in environmental policy, conservation or restoration or in careers that utilize such knowledge.

Business students who are interested in the issue of environmental regulation and mitigation.

Community Psychology students who are interested in the relationship between individuals, communities and nature.

Interdisciplinary Arts students who wish to explore the emerging field of Eco-Arts and enhance the effectiveness of urban restorations.

Biology students who are interested in the application of basic biological principles to recovering ecological function in human-dominated landscapes.

Students who are interested in environmental justice issues or environmental law.

Minor Requirements

Students pursuing the Ecological Restoration minor must complete 25 credits in the following areas:

NOTES: Students must complete at least 15 credits of the minor at their home campus. Also, no more than 10 credits from the Ecological Restoration Minor can be applied to a student's major requirements. Students pursuing the BS in Science are not to complete the Ecological Restoration Minor.Classes in this minor are offered primarily during the day-time hours.

Introduction to Restoration Ecology (5 credits)

This 5-credit course provides a foundation in the principles and history of ecological restoration. It covers a broad range of topics from how restoration is done, its scientific bases, regulations, social context, etc.

The restoration ecology capstone is a 10-credit three-quarter sequence (fall – winter – spring) taught by faculty from all UW campuses. Students from across departments at all three campuses are assigned to interdisciplinary teams of students from diverse academic fields. These teams work with a community partner to undertake ecological restoration projects in the surrounding area that are important, but for which financial or technical resources are limited. Students learn how to work in a multidisciplinary team environment while accomplishing a restoration project that connects the academic principles they have learned to hands-on practice with a real-life client. This course sequence is offered at all three UW campuses each academic year:

Campus

Course Number

Bothell

BES 462, 463, 464

Seattle

ERSM 464, 463, 464

Seattle

ENVIR 462, 463, 464

Tacoma

TESC 464, 463, 464

Restoration Related Courses (10 Credits)

This requirement allows students to develop more specific expertise in ecological restoration, often within their major field of study. Courses are approved that have substantial explicit restoration content or those (above introductory-level courses) that cover principles or provide applications valuable in undertaking restoration. Course approval is done by the UW-REN faculty academic steering committee. Special topics courses offered occasionally are approved on a case-by-case basis by the faculty directors.